Putting Compassion in Action

When parents, teachers and experts talk about education, what typically come up are subjects like reading, writing, arithmetic. But research shows that growing the heart is key to the development of an altruistic, empathetic, kind human being.

Our resource-rich September cover feature story explores the Charter for Compassion, which seeks to literalize the Golden Rule, not simply as a statement of principle, but as a summons to people and educators all over the world to take creative, practical, and sustained action to create a just economy and a more peaceful world.

As our children's first and most important teacher, we as parents know that modeling compassion starts at home. ParentMap invites readers to join in our month-long focus on compassion — each day through this portal and our Facebook page we will be sharing new ideas and practices parents can incorporate into their daily family lives and school communities to cultivate compassion in themselves and in their children.

The Golden Rule Goes to School: Compassion in Education

Changing the World Through Empathy and Education

Children are often told in a tone of reprimand by parents and teachers: “How would you feel if they did that to you?” It is essentially the photo negative of the Golden Rule (“do unto others …”). What if that message evolved into a positive set of values, then fused into lesson plans, group activities and a school ethos?

Guide to Compassion in Media

Media Guide: Books and Movies That Breed Kindness

It's fine to say that we hope to teach our children compassion. But how do we do that on a regular basis? By being aware of how our children's media ranks when it comes to passing on the right messages, we can increase their exposure to lessons about kindness and friendship, compassion and empathy. We've compiled a broad guide, broken down by age groups, to help introduce you to some incredible stories that deliver amazing messages.